New GG brings sense of humour to office, vows to make education and family key priorities

Tobi Cohen, Postmedia News10.01.2010

David Johnston (centre), who is Canada's new Governor General, happily stands with his family following a press conference in Parliament Hill's Senate foyer Thursday, July 8, 2010.Julie Oliver
/ The Ottawa Citizen

Coat of Arms created for David Johnston, the 28th Governor General of Canada.Handout
/ Handout

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OTTAWA — Described repeatedly as down-to-earth country folk, Canada's new Governor General offered a glimpse Friday, of what life might be like at Rideau Hall over the next five years.

During an otherwise stuffy installation filled with much pomp and circumstance, David Johnston and his wife Sharon — who he called his "inspiration" throughout their 46 years of marriage — charmed the crowd of dignitaries on Parliament Hill with their obvious affection and sense of humour.

Between the formal speeches, musical performances and requisite oath signing, there were several moments of levity.

After he pledged his allegiance and took his rightful place in his red velvet Senate chair, his wife elicited much laughter when she bowed slightly to Johnston — as others did the same as a sign of respect — before climbing two steps to embrace her husband and plant a kiss on his face before taking a seat in her own fancy chair.

Moments later, Johnston was handed the Great Seal of Canada. He walked away with it only to realize he was supposed to give it right back.

"For safe keeping," he said as he returned the seal to the amusement of many in the audience.

Obviously tickled by the attention, Johnston was beaming from ear-to-ear and laughed often throughout the ceremony.

Only at the Cenotaph, where the couple placed a bouquet of roses, did he strike a more serious demeanour, as he stood by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

After that, Johnston and his wife returned to their landau, stuffing as many grandchildren as they could into the carriage before heading off to their new residence under RCMP escort.

Earlier, Johnston broke away from his prepared text to talk about his five accomplished daughters. He recalled the time when he was asked if he wished he had a son: "Alas sir," he replied. "You have yet to meet my daughters."

He also gave a nod to Waterloo, Ont., the region he's called home for the last 11 years while serving as president of the southwestern Ontario town's university. He referred to both the "BlackBerry" — RIM CEO Mike Lazaridis was among his guests — and the Mennonite practice of barn-raising, an analogy he often uses to describe a community's support of one another.

In his inaugural address as Canada's 28th governor general, he challenged Canadians to join him in a stepped-up journey to "support families and children, to reinforce learning and innovation and to encourage philanthropy and volunteerism" as the country approaches its 150th birthday in 2017.

These, he said, are the "three pillars" that would become the focus of his mandate.

During his crisp, 15-minute speech, the 69-year-old reached out in particular to Canada's soldiers, to Aboriginals and to immigrants and said he expects to learn from them in the coming five years as they share their stories with him and his wife as they travel the country.

As the Canadian Forces' new commander-in-chief, he said: "We are looking forward to meeting families and daughters who have served in Afghanistan."

Johnston described his mission as one of bringing people together to create a nation "that will inspire, not just Canadians, but the entire world."

In closing, he turned to the words of Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw: "Some people see things as they are and wonder why. We dream of things that ought to be and ask why not."

A veritable who's who of the Canadian establishment, the Senate chamber was brimming with red-robed justices of the Supreme Court of Canada, past prime ministers such as Joe Clark, John Turner and Jean Chretien, aboriginal leaders, members of the Canadian Forces and federal cabinet ministers. Former governors general Michaelle Jean — Johnston's immediate predecessor — and Adrienne Clarkson were also in attendance.

"I've known him for a long time," Chretien said as he left the ceremony. "He comes from a different milieu. He's an academic, he lived in Montreal, he lived in Ontario, he's an athlete. Those are all things that impress me."

Clarkson said she first met Johnston 30 years ago when he was principal at McGill University in Montreal.

The former viceregal representative has no doubt he'll do a good job.

"I'm so thrilled because David Johnston is a wonderful human being and a great Canadian," she said.

"I think he understands what the job is and I'm sure we will see some very good and very solid things."

His five daughters, sons-in-law and eight-year-old granddaughter, Emma, were also on hand for the two-hour celebration that included trumpet fanfares, a 21-gun salute, a CF-18 flypast, a children's choir's sweet-voiced rendition of the national anthem and an aboriginal presentation.

"We're very proud of him," daughter Debbie said on Parliament Hill soon after watching her father perform his first of many military inspections. "It's very exciting."

Amit Chakma, president of the University of Western Ontario and a former colleague of Johnston, said it was important for him to attend Friday's event both as a friend and proud Canadian.

"He's a great friend and a mentor to me, so it's very good to be part of his family, to see him take over this wonderful responsibility," he said. "As a Canadian, it really gives me immense pride to be able to have someone like David Johnston as our Governor General."

A beaming Johnston and his wife arrived on Parliament Hill mid-morning. They were greeted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife, Laureen, and a military honour guard before passing through the Hall of Honour where 13 Canadians, representing the provinces and territories, handed each of them a rose to be placed later at the foot of the nearby National War Memorial.

Earlier, Harper had embraced Johnston as having an "all-Canadian heart," telling the chamber the former college hockey player and passionate teacher believes that service is not only an option but an "obligation of the heart that honour compels a man to accept."

Jean, accompanied by her husband, attended the event as a private citizen and, for the first time in five years, had no official duties to perform. As per tradition, the job fell to deputy governor general Beverley McLachlin, Canada's chief justice, for the duration of the transition.

Johnston, a lifelong educator, boasts 13 honorary degrees, has written or contributed to dozens of books, articles and conference papers, has published government reports on topics ranging from the Mulroney-Schreiber affair to broadband Internet and has helped write legislation.

While the Harvard graduate's background is in securities law, it's been said that he understands constitutional issues through his involvement in Quebec politics and work on various government reports and should have little trouble if faced with constitutional questions.

Extremely active, the two-time captain of Harvard's varsity hockey team still runs, cycles and skis regularly.

He also has been described as a man who "changes clothes easily" and is as relaxed around a boardroom table or executing ceremonial duties at convocation as he is helping his Mennonite neighbours gather hay or pile manure at Chatterbox Farm, the home and horse training facility outside Waterloo that he and his wife own.

Deeply committed to public service, Johnston traded his nearly $500,000 university president's salary and his spot on four company boards of directors and five not-for-profits to serve Canada. The non-taxable viceregal salary is pegged at just under $130,000 a year.

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What does the Governor General do?

- Is the resident representative of the monarch in Canada, with the full powers and responsibilities of the Queen;

- Is head of the Canadian Forces, approves senior military appointments and new military badges, insignia and medals;

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